THE Enriqueta Montilla de Esteban Memorial High School was the overall champion during the 10th Invitational Fancy Drill Competition, in celebration of the 120th Al Cinco de Noviembre fiesta in Bago City.
EMEMHS bested Lopez Jaena National High School of Murcia which settled for first runner-up while Bacolod City National High School finished second runner-up.
The group from Pulupandan went home with the top prize of P20, 000 in cash and trophy. They were also adjudged Best in Street Performance, Best in Uniform, and Most Disciplined.
Bacolod City National High School won P15, 000 cash and trophy and the Best Narration and Production Number special awards.
The platoon leader of STI-West Negros University, Cadet Colonel Justine Jade Cabalhin, won the Best Platoon Leader award.
Each special award has a cash prize of P3, 000 and a plaque of recognition.
The board of adjudicators from the Philippine Military Academy led by Captain John Russel Lee chose EMEMHS as champion after the said school accumulated the highest score from the different judging areas of the competition which include tactical inspection and street fancy drill in the morning, problem-solving quiz for the platoon leaders, and the arena performance.
Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo said that the competition was designed to make the ROTC and CAT program in the province alive.
He added that the Bago fancy drill tilt is in support of the policy of President Rodrigo Duterte to revive and strengthen the military training program to instill discipline and patriotism among the youth.
Further, in his welcome message, Yulo thanked the schools, principals and university presidents for joining the competition, and urged more schools to participate next year in the 11th year of the said competition. (PR)